Alexander McKenzie (Shrub Rose)

Repeat Flowering

Unique to Peter Beales

Unique to us in the UK. (Rugosa Hybrid) Fully double, crimson scarlet flowers on a bushy plant, with good foliage. A hardy cultivar, that tolerates poorer soil and grows well in a container. It is also a member of the Explorer Group of roses from Canada.

Alexander McKenzie (Bare Root Rose)

£17.95 each or 3+ for £16.15 each

Enter Quantity

Pre-order today for delivery from November 2019, once the new bare root rose season starts

Available to order

Please note: We are currently out of the bare root season. Orders placed now for bare root roses will be despatched from November 2019 and are shipped in strict order rotation. *Bare root roses are delivered between early November and early April

Preferred location

90cm. 3 ft.

1.2m. 4 ft.

Image for illustration purposes
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Bare root or Container? The differences explained

Roses were first sold in pots, as were most plants, to fulfil the demands of
the instant gardener, but the traditional method of supply is as bare root
plants in the winter months, often by mail order. There is little between
them as far as the ultimate plant is concerned, but there are advantages and
disadvantages to both.

Container roses

Containerised roses are available throughout the year (although there are
more available in the summer months for various reasons) and are roses that
we have planted into containers during the winter months, when the plants
are dormant. If purchasing a container rose early in the year, it is
advisable to wait until at least early May before planting out into the garden. This
is to give the roots of newly potted roses a chance to establish. In summer
months containerised roses must be watered daily to ensure good health and
maximum blooms. The advantage of buying a rose in a pot is that you can
select the plant yourself during a visit to our nursery and gardens, giving
you the opportunity to see the rose in flower prior to purchasing.
Containerised roses are available for delivery within 7-10 days.

Bare root roses

Throughout the winter months, from November to March, the roses are dormant
and can be cut back and safely handled in bare root form. Many established
rose gardeners call this the peak time for purchasing and planting roses, as
a rose planted in February has many months to put down a great root
structure to support the blooms and the plant for the years to come. Most
roses planted in February will put out a great display of blooms the same
year. Bare root roses are obviously live plants so do need fairly immediate
treatment upon arrival. This can be difficult in times of heavy frost or
snow. It is prudent in these conditions to prepare an area in which to heel
in the roses (more advice on heeling in can be found within our planting
advice pages). We would never advise buying a pre-packed rose from a
supermarket for you have no idea how long they have been packaged and may
well have dried out. Bare root roses are available to order throughout the
year and are normally delivered between November 1st and March 31st, during
the bare root season.

Planting and care instructions

Pruning newly planted bare root roses

These should always be hard pruned at the time of planting, before they are
placed in the hole is the logical time. Even the most rampant of ramblers
will benefit from this treatment as it encourages basal growth, from which
the plant will make its shape. Climbers, ramblers and shrub roses should be
reduced to about six inches, bush roses to about four inches.

How to plant bare root roses

For a bare root rose the hole should be wide enough to allow the roots to be
spread out and deep enough so that the base of the stems are just covered.
The same depth applies for a potted rose, and although the hole should be
wide enough for the root ball, I would not advocate the teasing out of the
roots, the plant should be young enough to allow the roots to break through.
If required, the addition of proprietary rose food or bone meal, into the
base of the hole, should be done now. A handful is enough and this should be
mixed in with the soil there to avoid root scorch. A little powdered food
can also be sprinkled onto the removed soil before it is returned.

The hole should be wide enough to accommodate the spread out roots, it is at
this stage that rose food or bone meal can be added.

The bare root rose should now be held with one hand at the right depth with
the roots spread out, whilst the first of the soil is returned, either by
hand or with a spade. When approximately half the hole is full the rose can
be left alone and the soil firmed in by foot. The remainder of the soil can
then be returned and firmed in the same way.

Once this is done the surface soil may be tidied and the rose labelled, there
is nothing more annoying than not knowing the name of a beautiful rose.

Shrub roses should be planted at the closest 60cm (2ft) apart.

How to plant a rose bought in a container

The same depth applies for a rose bought in a container, with the first inch
or so of the branches below soil level, and the hole wide enough for the
root ball, there is no need to tease the roots out but better to leave the
root ball intact. If purchased early in the summer season (before May) it
is wise to leave the rose in its pot to give the roots time to establish.

How your roses will arrive

Please Note: Bare-root roses are tied in bundles. If you have ordered
more than one rose please cut the string holding the roses together and
separate carefully before planting.

Bare root roses should not be planted when their roots are dry nor should
they be planted during frost. If it is frosty when you receive them, they
should not take any harm left unopened in their package for up to one week.
If it remains frosty for longer than this open the package and, after
moistening the roots, place the roses still in their bundle in a container
of damp soil or damp sand. A wooden box, bucket or large polythene bag will
usually hold enough soil for this purpose. Plant out the roses when the
frost has disappeared. If the roses arrive when it is not convenient for you
to plant them, they should be 'heeled in' out of doors the moment the
weather permits.